Saudi Arabia's Quest for Regional Hegemony on the Basis of Opposition to Iran

This study argues that Saudi Arabia's increasing regional activism is not only limited to balancing the Iranian threat or competing with the Islamic Republic but is also related to its claim to be a regional hegemonic power. Within the framework of Robert Cox's Antonio Gramsci-inspired approach to hegemony, Saudi Arabia has sought to establish hegemony through its oil revenues, integration with the global capitalist system, anti-Iranian rhetoric and institutional influence in the Gulf region. However, the inability to secure common consent among regional actors, failures on the ground and disagreements within the Gulf Cooperation Council are major obstacles to these efforts. By emphasising the interplay of ideas, material resources and institutions, the study reveals the limits of Saudi Arabia's hegemony building and deepens the concept of regional hegemony through a neo-Gramscian analysis.